Hate speech: Charges framed against Varun Gandhi

Bareilly (UP): A court in Pilibhit has framed charges against BJP MP Varun Gandhi for his "provocative" speech during the campaigning preceding the 2009 Lok Sabha polls.

The BJP leader appeared in the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate Abdul Qayum where police had filed a charge sheet in the case, which was lodged at Sadar Kotwali police station.

Varun Gandhi. Agencies.

Varun was booked under various sections of Indian Penal Code and the People's Representative Act in 2009 for promoting enmity and disturbing harmony through provocative speeches in Pilibhit.

The court has fixed December 10 and 11 as the next date of hearing. Later, in the same year, the UP government had invoked the provisions of the National Security Act against Varun for "inciting communal tension" through his speeches at election rallies held in Pilibhit district on March 7 and 9.